Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his UFC middleweight championship by submitting Israel Adesanya in the fourth round of the UFC 305 main event at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
The fight was fiercely competitive from the outset. Du Plessis mixed leg kicks with aggressive rushes, while Adesanya found his rhythm with strikes from a distance. As the match progressed into the second round, du Plessis showcased his wrestling skills, securing an early takedown and repeatedly taking Adesanya to the mat, despite the Nigerian's attempts to get back on his feet. Du Plessis dominated the round with multiple submission attempts.
In the third round, Adesanya focused on body strikes, which temporarily turned the momentum in his favor. Du Plessis, appearing fatigued, refrained from relying on his wrestling but still managed to land some effective strikes.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, Adesanya seemed to regain control. However, du Plessis returned to his grappling strategy in the fourth round, securing a takedown off a right hand and transitioning smoothly into a rear-naked choke, forcing Adesanya to tap out.
This victory marks a significant chapter in the heated rivalry between the two fighters. It was the first UFC championship fight between two African-born competitors, adding a historic dimension to the event. Du Plessis' triumph not only solidifies his status as the reigning middleweight champion but also adds considerable weight to his resume.
"His career can't be argued," du Plessis said of Adesanya, as quoted by UFC.com’s Kevin Schuster. "He's one of the greatest fighters ever. Not in the middleweight division, not in the UFC, but in MMA, one of the best to ever do it. While he's still in the organization, I'm holding the belt, which makes it pretty evident that there's something special [about me] and there's something different."
With this victory, du Plessis is poised to face Sean Strickland in a rematch. The two previously met in January, where du Plessis narrowly won by split decision. UFC President Dana White confirmed that Strickland would get the next title shot, setting up another high-stakes showdown for the middleweight crown.
BBC